Older children with amblyopia—also known as “lazy eye”—could be treated by sticking to a regiment of playing video games and receiving standard treatment for the disorder. According to Medical News, a new Indian study shows that a third of research participants between 10 and 18 years old were able to make significant vision gains as a result of this approach.
Study participants were divided into four treatment groups, some of whom received daily video game practices and the supplement citicoline, which is associated with improved brain function. After one year of this regimen, nearly 30 percent of the 100 participants achieved significant vision gains, while an additional 60 percent showed at least some improvement.
Improvement in amblyopia was more marked in children younger than age 14 who participated in daily video gaming and took citicoline, researchers said. Video game practice was especially crucial to vision improvement as using the weaker eye allowed children to strengthen their vision through practice.
Medical News reported that the study’s findings were significant because prevailing wisdom had been that if amblyopia was not diagnosed or corrected before a child reaches school age, it becomes impossible. Now, research leader Somen Ghosh has helped to provide hope for older children suffering from the condition.
“We should never give up on our patients, even the older children, but instead offer them hope and treatment designed to help them achieve better vision,” Ghosh said.
